Get a career that matters. Become a psychiatric nurse.
Douglas College offers a Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing degree. We have been B.C.'s primary school for psychiatric nursing education for more than 30 years. Instructors are professionals in their fields and are passionate about training the next generation of psychiatric nurses.
What do Psychiatric Nurses do?
Registered psychiatric nursing is a distinct health care profession regulated by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) work with a team of health care professionals to assess patient needs and develop treatment plans. They also address the complex relationship between a patient’s mental, emotional and physical health, as well as any relevant social, cultural or religious factors.
Get a career that matters. Become a psychiatric nurse.
Career options
As a registered psychiatric nurse, your unique skills will qualify you for employment in many areas of health care, from psychiatric units in hospitals, to community mental health and substance use settings. With psychiatric nurses currently in demand, you’ll be well-positioned to find a job once you graduate. The mid-range salary for an RPN is $40 per hour, according to the B.C. 2025 Labour Market Outlook, and RPNs who become members of the B.C. Nurses’ Union can expect a minimum hourly wage of $41.42 (effective April 2024).
Student success story
Psych Nursing student Kaarun Sangra talks about his experience being the first-ever student to be hired through the employed student nurses program at Dawson Creek and District Hospital.
Accelerated admission (Winter 2026 only)
Accelerated admission to the Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing (BSPN) program is available for the Winter 2026 semester.
Any student who has completed BIOL 1103, BIOL 1203, BIOL 2200, ENGL 1130 and PSYC 1100 with a minimum grade of C+ by the end of Fall 2025 is eligible to apply regardless of their enrolment in Academic Foundations for Potential Psychiatric Nurses.
Students accepted into the accelerated pathway will complete the remaining courses of the Academic Foundations for Potential Psychiatric Nurses (Stats - MATH 1160, PSYC 2300 or BUSN 2429; BIOL 2401; ENGL elective; PSYC 1200; and one other UT elective) during the summer semesters before graduating from the BSPN program.
This option is not available for those participating in the Licensed Practical Nurse Access to the Psychiatric Nursing program.
Contact Fran Barlow, Program Support Specialist at barlowf@douglascollege.ca for additional information and how to apply.
How does the Psychiatric Nursing program at Douglas work?
The Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing (BSPN) program is a four-year bachelor’s degree program. As an applicant, you must first complete the Academic Foundations for Potential Psychiatric Nursing Applicants program, which consists of 10 prerequisite courses (30 credits). You can take the program part time or full time.
Once you have completed Academic Foundations for Potential Psychiatric Nursing Applicants, you may apply to the Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing program. Upon acceptance, you will complete the final three years of your degree on a full-time schedule. Once you graduate, you will be eligible to apply to the BCCNM to write the licensure exam.
Designated seats in Psychiatric Nursing
The Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing offers a limited number of designated seats for Indigenous students who meet academic and admission requirements. Faculty in the Department of Psychiatric Nursing are committed to reconciliation while creating a culturally safe learning environment where inclusivity and equity are valued. Interested students should self declare when applying for the program on Education Planner BC. For questions and support, please contact Indigenous Student Services for further details. The application deadline date for a designated seat is February 1 for the Fall intake and June 1 for the Winter intake.
You’ll also receive support through Indigenous Student Services, which provides resources such as spiritual and cultural guidance from Elders, information about funding options for status and non-status Indigenous students, one-on-one support with an Indigenous Student Support Navigator and more. For more information on how to apply, contact our Indigenous Coordinator or Indigenous Student Support Navigator.